Plants and Animals
Pleurobema sintoxia Round pigtoe
Key Characteristics
The round pigtoe is a relatively large (to 4 inches) mussel with a moderately thick, round shell and a rounded anterior end and a rounded or bluntly pointed posterior end. The beak is low and only slightly elevated above the hinge line. This species has a shallow beak cavity and beak sculpture consisting of 2 to 3 elevated ridges. The lateral teeth are straight and cardinal teeth are well developed with 2 in the left valve and 1 in the right valve. The shell is smooth and brown with faint green rays visible near the beak. The nacre is variable in color, from white to pink to rose colored.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
Global Rank: G4? - Apparently secure (inexact)
State Rank: S3 - Vulnerable
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Allegan | 3 | 2017 |
| Barry | 1 | 2010 |
| Berrien | 8 | 2004 |
| Branch | 1 | 2000 |
| Calhoun | 10 | 2019 |
| Cass | 2 | 2019 |
| Clare | 1 | 1934 |
| Clinton | 5 | 2020 |
| Dickinson | 3 | 2009 |
| Eaton | 4 | 2016 |
| Genesee | 1 | 2001 |
| Gratiot | 6 | 2020 |
| Hillsdale | 15 | 2018 |
| Huron | 1 | Historical |
| Ingham | 5 | 2001 |
| Ionia | 21 | 2021 |
| Jackson | 10 | 2018 |
| Kalamazoo | 12 | 2020 |
| Kent | 15 | 2017 |
| Lapeer | 1 | 1926 |
| Lenawee | 10 | 2016 |
| Livingston | 1 | 2001 |
| Macomb | 11 | 2012 |
| Manistee | 1 | 1918 |
| Mecosta | 2 | 1934 |
| Menominee | 6 | 2009 |
| Midland | 2 | 2020 |
| Missaukee | 1 | 2002 |
| Monroe | 13 | 2015 |
| Newaygo | 3 | 1934 |
| Oakland | 12 | 2023 |
| Osceola | 2 | 2002 |
| Ottawa | 2 | 1960 |
| Saginaw | 3 | 2011 |
| Sanilac | 5 | 2010 |
| Shiawassee | 4 | 2001 |
| St. Clair | 13 | 2020 |
| St. Joseph | 15 | 2019 |
| Tuscola | 6 | 2019 |
| Van Buren | 3 | 2009 |
| Washtenaw | 6 | 2010 |
| Wayne | 14 | 2019 |
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
The round pigtoe occurs in mud, sand, or gravel substrates of medium to large rivers.
Specific Habitat Needs
Sandy or gravel substrates needed in: Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run; Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle; River (5th-6th order), run; River (5th-6th order), riffle.
Natural Community Types
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle
- River (5th-6th order), run
- River (5th-6th order), riffle
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Management Recommendations
Like other mussels, threats to the round pigtoe include: natural flow alterations, siltation, channel disturbance, point and non-point source pollution, and exotic species. Maintenance or establishment of vegetated riparian buffers can help protect mussel habitats from many of their threats. Control of zebra mussels is critical to preserving native mussels. And as with all mussels, protection of their hosts habitat is also crucial.
Survey Methods
Glass-bottom bucket less than waist deep water
Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
SCUBA searches
Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
Snorkeling searches
Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October
References
Survey References
- Cummings, K.S. and C.A. Mayer. 1992. Field Guide to Freshwater Mussels of the Midwest. Illinois Natural History Survey Manual 5, Champaign. 194pp.
- Strayer, D.L. and D.R. Smith. 2003. A Guide to Sampling Freshwater Mussel Populations. American Fisheries Society Monograph 8, Bethesda. 103pp.
Technical References
- Clarke, A.H. 1981. The Freshwater Molluscs of Canada. National Museum of Natural Science, National Museums of Canada, Ottawa. 446pp.
- Cummings, K.S. and C.A. Mayer. 1992. Field Guide to Freshwater Mussels of the Midwest. Illinois Natural History Survey Manual 5, Champaign. 194pp.
- Smith, P.W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Carbondale. Bulletin No. 28. 298 pp.